<p>When I was 14, I got a call from my mom telling me my brother had been shot to death in a drive by. After my brothers death, I learned the power in actions and their ability to aid or terminate one's future. I also learned that shortcuts (selling drugs, being gang affiliated, etc…)have short-lived benefits and result in numerous consequences. I want to write about the pain I felt and the lessons I have learned through the pain and how it has shaped me as a person and has ultimately made me stronger. The backdrop is living in a dangerous neighborhood of a city known for its high crime rate and not succumbing to bad influences.
What do you think?</p>
<p>@hellahumble
I think that definitely qualifies. I’m not applying this year, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. That could also be a “story that’s central to your identity essay,” but it’s up to you.</p>
<p>sorry for your loss. this could probably work for prompts 1 and 5 really well</p>
<p>Excellent choice. Just make sure that you include enough detail and your own “voice” that it’s not a generic essay. Must be unique to you. </p>
<p>If the way this event “shaped you as a person” translates into actual behavior, OK. If it just refers to things you know, not so much.</p>
<p>thanks so much guys <3 I’m just wondering, is this topic too emotional? I know colleges enjoy reading about overcoming adversity but would this qualify or does it sound like a sob story? I don’t want colleges or people in general for that matter to read my essay and feel bad for me, I want them to see what I have experienced and how it has made me view the world differently</p>
<p>No, use it. It shows you as a person. I would use the 1st prompt. Im sorry for your loss</p>
<p>It’s a sob story only if you emphasize the death. If you emphasize “how it has shaped me as a person and has ultimately made me stronger,” then it’s a growth story.</p>
<p>I have no idea how admissions officers feel, but when I assign my college freshmen an essay like this, I suggest devoting roughly 1/3 of the content section to the sad part, and 2/3 to the “what I learned” part. That keeps the emphasis about right.</p>